Musculoskeletal melioodosis

• Main Authors: Che Ahmad, Aminudin, Zakaria@Mohamad, Zamzuri, Zulkifly, Ahmad Hafiz, Ab Rahman, Jamalludin, How, Soon Hin
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2007
• Subjects: RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine; RB Pathology; RD701 Orthopedics
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/41067/1/2.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/41067/; http://www.news.sicot.org

Melioidosis that is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, is a significant public health problem in Southeast Asia and some other tropical countries. It involves many systems, especially the respiratory system. Melioidosis can mimic various common disease such as tuberculosis or tumor of the bones and joints. Mortality rates and relapse rate are high despite combination drug therapy. More than 300 cases of bacteriologically confirmed melioidosis have been detected in several hospital in Pahang, Malaysia. The purpose of this study is to determine the epidemiology, clinical features, bacteriology outcome and mortality of musculoskeletal form of melioidosis in Pahang, Malaysia. This is a study of twenty four patients, who had been diagnosed to have melioidosis involving musculoskeletal system carried out at three hospitals in Pahang, Malaysia from January 2000 to June 2006. Case records of conformed cases will be traced ad analyzed. The age, gender, ethic, nature of activity, clinical presentation, bacteriology, response to treatment and mortality obtained from case record. Twenty four patients (17 male and 7 female) reviewed. 92% has diabetes mellitus. Knee septic arthritis was the most common joint involved (42%, 11 cases), followed by ankle septic arthritis 15% (4 patients). Surgery was performed at least once in 88% (23 patients). Of all patients, 34% died within 6 month of diagnosis. High mortality and poor response to current treatment alarming us for such a dangerous organism and more studies need to be done for faster diagnosis and the best method to treat this disease.